Tag Archives: Travel

Dust off Yer Boots

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In this massive episode laced with craic, Brian F., K8 the Gr8, Grandad, Dr. Don, and myself hash out everything about nothing.  K8 and Grandad savour their Curry while Brian collides with the law.  We discuss the pork industry and the hysteria that is H1N1.  Brian bitches about the cold and Dr. Don and myself reminisce about radioactive snowcream from a bygone era.  We ramble on about a main street trampling and deer whistles.  Do they attract or detract?

Later, we learn the meaning of deer jerky along with every other kind of jerky.  Christmas and wee sprrogs are mentioned as well as court dates.  I wonder about my future wanderings through Ireland with nothing but a backpack, a camera, and a smile to keep me company.  We debate whether Indian food is slimming or fattening.  Saint Patrick’s Day and the roaring Celtic Tiger are uttered.

In the final bit of the show, we discuss electric pipes, podcasting microphones, the best version of Windows, celebrities, the media, camel toes, metro-techies, and much much more.  Please tune in for the next instalment.

Download it Now:  Dust of Yer Boots

DIRTY BOOTS

Being that I’m a country boy (can’t escape it no matter where I go), I decided to add this hilarious song about a chap that wins the lotto.  It’s called “Toes”.  That’s relevant to Boots, right?  :)

Dust Off Yer Boots [ 49:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (231)

“American”

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Some of you may know that I am planning to leave for Dublin on September 5th.  I have diligently contacted over a dozen potential landlords and roommates over the last few weeks.  In these emails, I’ve honestly stated that I’m an American coming over for three months, possibly longer if all goes well.  Of these almost twenty personal emails, I’ve received zero replies.  So, this morning I started calling them via Skype.  One said that the slot was filled (Strange that it still says available on daft.ie..)and the other said they were looking for long term.  I respect that they want long term, but some do say short term, yet I have not been contacted.

Perhaps it is just my perception, but it’s like I automatically have a strike against me because I’m an “American”.  The American government has done a lot of bad things over the years, but so has Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Slovakia, and a number of other EU countries.  Yet, they are given a free pass.  Come on in, they say. 

I’m not asking for a red carpet welcome, just to be judged by my character not where I came from.  I’m not coming to leech off of the Irish Health Care System, nor am I coming to meddle in their business.  I’m hopefully coming because I love Ireland and Irish culture.  And, most importantly, I’m coming for illumination. 

Dublin Tourist

Those that know me, know that I’m a gentleman.  I’ve always thought of myself as a “Human Being”, not an American.  Perhaps this stems from a multi-religious upbringing.  I’m not ashamed of being American, but I’m not a believer in labels.  I absolutely hate labels.  Regardless of whether we like them or not, labels are an intricate part of society today.  We are labeled rich if in a certain tax bracket, poor if in another bracket, stupid if below a certain number on a test, or a genius if above another number. 

I’m not a logical person in the normal sense of the word.  I’m a spiritual person.  I reckon that has to do with going through deaths door more than once and being able to return.  In college, I took all of the regular Algebra, Statistical, and Calculus classes.  I made really good grades, but it really was not my cup of tea.  There are so many things in this world that will never be explained with equations.  We think we are so smart, yet we know so little. 

Back to the subject at hand:

So, yeah, I’m an American, so what? 

I had figured that the easiest thing to do would be getting a place to stay.  I’m not really keen to the idea of sleeping on a bench at Stephen’s Green.  If I don’t find something by the end of this week, my plans will be knocked out of whack. 

Saint Stephen's Green Duckies

So, I’m irritated.

I’m ill.

And, I’m downright pissed.

Excuse me, while I go for a walk to soothe my soul.

Let’s Ride

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I have always admired the short film, “C’était un rendez-vous”, by Claude Lelouch.  It is eight minutes of extreme speed through the streets of Paris.  Actually, it took place in 1976.  Some people argue that it was an S-class speeding through the streets, while others say it was a Ferrari.  Regardless of the type of car used, it was a grand short film. 

A few people have asked me countless times about where I live and what the surrounding area looks like.  I reckon they are not happy with the thousands of photos on flickr?

Anyway, I had planned to get up early this morning and record my ascent up into the mountains.  I had hoped to get up before dawn and get to Caesar’s Head during dawning.  The alarm clock didn’t go off due to a brown out, so I didn’t get up until after daybreak. 

Anyway, I did it just to show you all what the roads look like around here.  It would have been a much better video had I woken up!  :)

I may do another one in the morning, when I go downtown to walk.  Hopefully, gootube will not muck it up.

P.S.:  Close to the end, the camcorder went airborne due to me taking a 15mph curve at 25mph.  :)

Long Weekend

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I had a very long weekend at the lake.  I drank too much, swam too much, and danced too much.  All in all, I had a grand break from the constant preparations here.  I’m very energised and beat at the same time!  ;)

UPDATE:  I realise that I was supposed to write a post about the weekend, but alas I have been very busy.  Many apologies.  I’ll be back Wednesday evening with one or two new post.   :)

green

Numbers Game

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Credit card companies have had a love affair with me for a long time. I pay my dues on time and usually add in a bit extra. I called two of my credit card companies today to close out the accounts. Below you’ll find the gist of the conversation:

“Hello, how are you today, Mr. Davis?” A cheerful bloke asks on the other end of the long wire that crosses the Rubicon.

“I’m grand, and yourself?” I ask him whilst putting my tea on.

“I’m great…thanks for asking”, says he with a bit of surprise.

“I need to close out the two credit cards that I have with your bank.”

“Might I ask why?”

“Because, I will no longer be under the grip of large corporations spreading their vile commercialization of everything I hold dear…”

“………………………………………………………………………………………………………….O……….kay’, he mutters during a long pause.

“That, and your interest rates are through the roof and I’m leaving the states for an indefinite amount of time”, says I whilst laughing.

“Interest rates, I can understand”, he jokingly replies

“By the way, what is your mother’s maiden name so I can access your accounts…?”

“Oh my God, don’t get me started….That question is a direct invasion of my privacy (pri-va-see)”, says I, whilst leaping from my desk chair.

“Sorry, we cannot access your account without it…Anyway, do you not mean privacy (pry-va-see)?”

“No, I mean Privacy (Pri-va-see).”

“May I have the maiden name, sir”, says he in a cheesed off tone.

“You’ve already got my DNA, so you might as well have me Mum’s maiden name, right?”

“Yep”, says he while snickering.

“If you don’t mind me inquiring, where are you going?”

“Here we go again…Ah, who am I kidding, they’ll find out anyway…I’m moving to Ireland for a minimum of three months but hopefully more, if I can secure a job and a visa.”

“Ah dude, that’s awesome…I’ve always wanted to go”, says the rep whilst getting excited.

“Save your money and come on over…I’ve got a friend that loves to show around sunglass wearing tourist…he’d even show you the bogs”, says I, as I started setting this poor chap up for a fall.

“Give me your email and I’ll email you some traveling tips and suggestions on places to stay”, sneakingly says I.

“That would be awesome…I’ve always wanted to go. My dad’s mother is from there”, says he as though we were making a brotherly bond.

“All right, I’ll give you your fist tip….”

“….Dude, go ahead…I’m psyched…I can’t wait to tell the wife”, says he while papers ruffle in the background.

“Okay, when you go into a pub in Ireland and you order your first pint of Guinness from the barkeep – make sure you call the bartenders, barkeeps…they will be insulted if you don’t – grab it as soon as he sets it down the first time…If he tries to take it from you, just wave him off and turn it up, froth and all”, says I whilst trying not to laugh.

“Thanks dude!”

I am mean and debt free! ;)

Genius Pint